We have been keeping track of PC makers and retailers who are offering people who buy a new Windows 7 PC a way to get a refund for Microsoft's $14.99 Windows 8 upgrade charge. So far, we have identified that the world's biggest PC maker, HP, is indeed offering a such a program for the US and Canada. Smaller PC makers such as Falcon Northwest and Maingear have a similar offer, and the Staples retail chain is giving people who buy a new Windows 7 PC a $15 gift card.

As it turned out, another large PC maker is indeed giving people who buy some of its products a way to get back that $14.99 Windows 8 upgrade charge back. In a press release on Acer's UK website back in July, the company said that people who purchase the Aspire S3, Aspire S5 (shown above), Aspire M3 and Aspire M5 Ultrabooks between now and January 31st, 2013 can get a refund for Microsoft's Windows 8 upgrade price.

The press release also lists the countries that are eligible for this offer, including the UK, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and other countries in Europe, the Middle East and South Africa. However, countries in North America, such as the US and Canada, are not listed. Indeed, the press release specifically states, "Countries not included in this list are not eligible for this promotion."

We have contacted Acer to find out why the company is excluding the US and Canada from this Windows 8 promotion when other PC makers are offering the same refund in North America.